Build your own prototype

We ask every lab user to register their activity as a “project”. Depending on the scale of the lab activities (e.g. amount of support, training or materials needed) your project might be “Quick Build”, “Maker” or “Open Science Hacker” tier. Determine your tier and start your prototyping by opening the “Project Application Form” below!

Quick Build projects are the simplest activities: you know exactly how to do it and require minimal material, or will bring the material yourself. Examples are: a single 3D print, laser cutting your own material or drilling a few holes. If you can do it by yourself within an hour or two, its probably a quick build.
Maker projects are our standard format: you want to build something, but you might not be 100% certain how to get it done or you require some more materials. Examples are: troubleshooting a broken device, creating a 3D scan, 3D printing after receiving instructions or printing (ink/vinyl) on a t-shirt.
Open Science Hacker projects are larger, might require advise from us, or funding for materials. We have funds available to support good ideas! Examples are: experimental lab equipment, a measuring setup with sensors and recording devices or an open-source variant of commercial equipment. If you are building something for a major research project or PhD and expect to take some weeks to get it done, you are probably an open science hacker.

Are you a teacher? Enhance your course with prototyping!

We also support courses for other parts of the university. As of 2023/2024 we will be supporting 9 courses representing biology, physics, informatics, pharmacy and science as a whole. LPL’s role can include supporting your teaching activity, directly thinking along with students in their production of prototypes or educating them in the use of fabrication technologies. We use the course form as a first point of contact and will then discuss the details with you face-to-face.

If you want to make prototyping a part of your education, fill in the form below and we’ll get back to you a.s.a.p..

Workshops

We offer a range of workshops from introductions to prototyping, to in depth fabrication skills. We currently offer our own workshops on 3D design and printing and we are building a workshop on electronics. If you have a specific workshop or workflow you would like your students / department to learn, we can also co-design a workshop with you, as we have done for institutes like the Debye or the Biofabrication Facility. Reach out via mail (lpl@uu.nl) to get in touch about a workshop.